#### § 226.217 Critical habitat for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon (*Salmo salar*).

Critical habitat is designated to include all perennial rivers, streams, and estuaries and lakes connected to the marine environment within the range of the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon (GOM DPS), except for those particular areas within the range which are specifically excluded. Within the GOM DPS, the primary constituent elements (PCEs) for Atlantic salmon include sites for spawning and incubation, sites for juvenile rearing, and sites for migration. The essential physical and biological features of habitat are those features that allow Atlantic salmon to successfully use sites for spawning and rearing and sites for migration. These features include substrate of suitable size and quality; rivers and streams of adequate flow, depth, water temperature and water quality; rivers, streams, lakes and ponds with sufficient space and diverse, abundant food resources to support growth and survival; waterways that allow for free migration of both adult and juvenile Atlantic salmon; and diverse habitat and native fish communities in which salmon interact with while feeding, migrating, spawning, and resting.

(a) The GOM DPS is divided into three salmon habitat recovery units (SHRUs) within the range of the GOM DPS: These are the Downeast Coastal SHRU, the Penobscot Bay SHRU, and the Merrymeeting Bay SHRU. Critical habitat is being considered only in specific areas currently occupied by the species. Critical habitat specific areas are identified by hydrological unit codes (HUC) and counties within the States of Maine. Hydrological units are those defined by the Department of Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) publication, “Hydrologic Unit Maps” Water Supply Paper (Seaber *et al.*, 1994) and the following DOI, USGS 1:500,000 scale hydrologic unit map: State of Maine. These documents are incorporated by reference. The incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with [5 U.S.C. 552(a)](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/552) and [1 CFR part 51](/on/2024-09-20/title-1/part-51). Copies of the USGS publication and the maps may be obtained from the USGS, Map Sales, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225. Copies may be inspected at NMFS, Protected Resources Division, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: *<http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html>.*

(b) Critical habitat is designated in the Maine counties and towns for the three SHRUs described in [paragraphs (b)(1)](/on/2024-09-20/title-50/section-226.217#p-226.217(b)(1)) and [(2)](/on/2024-09-20/title-50/section-226.217#p-226.217(b)(2)) of this section. The textual descriptions of critical habitat for each SHRU are included in [paragraphs (b)(3)](/on/2024-09-20/title-50/section-226.217#p-226.217(b)(3)) through [(6)](/on/2024-09-20/title-50/section-226.217#p-226.217(b)(6)) of this section, and these descriptions are the definitive source for determining the critical habitat boundaries. A general location map (Figure 1) is provided at the end of paragraph (b)(2) and is for general guidance purposes only, and not as a definitive source for determining critical habitat boundaries.

(1) *Maine counties and towns affected.* Critical habitat is designated for the following SHRUs in the following counties and towns.

(i) Counties and towns partially or entirely within areas containing critical habitat in the Downeast Coastal SHRU:

| Sub-basin | County | Town |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coastal Washington Hancock | Penobscot | Clifton, Eddington, Grand Falls Twp, Greenfield Twp, Summit Twp. |
| | Hancock | Waltham, Bucksport, Dedham, Eastbrook, Ellsworth, Fletchers Landing Twp, Franklin, Great Pond, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Oqiton Twp, Orland, Osborn, Trenton Otis, Sullivan, Surry, T10 SD, T16 MD, T22 MD, T28 MD, T32 MD, T34 MD, T35 MD, T39 MD, T40 MD, T41 MD, T7 SD, T9 SD. |
| | Washington | Addison, Alexander, Baileyville, Baring Plt, Beddington, Centerville Twp, Charlotte, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Cooper, Crawford, Cutler, Deblois, Dennysville, Devereaux Twp, East Machias, Edmunds Twp, Harrington, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Lubec, Machias, Machiasport, Marion Twp, Marshfield, Meddybemps, Milbridge, No 14 Twp, No 21 Twp, Northfield, Princeton, Roque Bluffs, Sakom Twp, Steuben, Trescott Twp, Whiting, Whitneyville, Wesley T18 ED BPP, T18 MD BPP, T19 ED BPP, T19 MD BPP, T24 MD BPP, T25 MD BPP, T26 ED BPP, T27 ED BPP, T30 MD BPP, T31 MD BPP, T36 MD BPP, T37 MD BPP, T42 MD BPP, T43 MD BPP. |

(ii) Counties and towns partially or entirely within areas containing critical habitat in the Penobscot Bay SHRU:

| Sub-basin | County | Town |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Piscataquis | Penobscot | T4 Indian Purchase Twp, Long A Twp, Seboeis Plt, Mattamiscontis Twp, Maxfield, Lagrange, Charleston, Howland, T3 R9 NWP, Edinburg, Hopkins Academy Grant Twp, Garland. |
| | Piscataquis | Shawtown Twp, TA R11 WELS, TA R10 WELS, TB R10 WELS, Greenville, T7 R9 NWP, Bowdoin College Grant West Twp, T4 R9 NWP, Ebeemee Twp, Moosehead Junction Twp, Lake View Plt, Brownville, Milo, Blanchard Twp, Sebec, Dover-Foxcroft, Abbot, Kingsbury Plt, Parkman, Wellington, Frenchtown Twp, Medford, Sangerville, TB R11 WELS, Katahdin Iron Works Twp, Elliottsville Twp, Shirley, Guilford, Atkinson, Beaver Cove, Williamsburg Twp, Bowdoin College Grant East Twp, Barnard Twp, Monson, Orneville Twp. |
| | Somerset | Squaretown Twp, Mayfield Twp, Brighton Plt, East Moxie Twp, Bald Mountain Twp T2 R3. |
| East Branch | Aroostook | Moro Plt, T7 R5 WELS. |
| | Penobscot | Mount Chase, East Millinocket, Grindstone Twp, Herseytown Twp, Medway, Patten, Soldiertown Twp T2 R7 WELS, Stacyville, T1 R6 WELS, T2 R8 WELS, T3 R7 WELS, T3 R8 WELS, T4 R7 WELS, T4 R8 WELS, T5 R7 WELS, T5 R8 WELS, T6 R6 WELS, T6 R7 WELS, T6 R8 WELS, T7 R6 WELS, T7 R7 WELS, T7 R8 WELS, T8 R6 WELS, T8 R7 WELS, T8 R8 WELS. |
| | Piscataquis | Mount Katahdin Twp, Nesourdnahunk Twp, Trout Brook Twp, T3 R10 WELS, T4 R10 WELS, T4 R9 WELS, T5 R11 WELS, T5 R9 WELS, T6 R10 WELS, T6 R11 WELS, T7 R10 WELS, T7 R11 WELS, T7 R12 WELS, T7 R9 WELS. |
| Mattawamkeag | Aroostook | Amity, Bancroft, Benedicta Twp, Crystal, Dudley Twp, Dyer Brook, Forkstown Twp, Moro Plt, North Yarmouth Academy Grant Twp, Oakfield, Orient, Reed Plt, Sherman, Silver Ridge Twp, Smyrna, Upper Molunkus Twp, Webbertown Twp, Weston, T1 R5 WELS, T2 R4 WELS, T3 R3 WELS, T3 R4 WELS, T4 R3 WELS, T7 R5 WELS, TA R2 WELS. |
| | Penobscot | Carroll Plt, Drew Plt, Herseytown Plt, Kingman Twp, Lee, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Mount Chase, Patten, Prentiss Twp T7 R3 NBPP, Springfield, Stacyville, Webster Plt, Winn, T1 R6 WELS, T4 R7 WELS, T6 R6 WELS. |
| | Washington | T8 R3 NBPP, T8 R4 NBPP. |
| Penobscot | Aroostook | Benedicta TWP, Molunkus Twp, Sherman, T1 R5 WELS. |
| | Hancock | Amherst, Blue Hill, Bucksport, Castine, Dedham, Great Pond, Oqiton Twp, Orland, Penobscot, Surry, Verona Island, T3 ND, T32 MD, T34 MD, T35 MD, T39 MD, T40 MD, T41 MD. |
| | Penobscot | Alton, Argyle Twp, Bangor, Brewer, Burlington, Carmel, Charleston, Chester, Clifton, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Dixmont, Eddington, Edinburg, Enfield, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Grand Falls Twp, Hampden, Hermon, Herseytown Twp, Holden, Howland, Hudson, Indian Island, Kenduskeag, Lagrange, Lakeville, Lee, Levant, Lincoln, Lowell, Mattamiscontis Twp, Mattawamkeag, Maxfield, Medway, Milford, Newburgh, Newport, Old Town, Orono, Orrington, Passadumkeag, Plymouth, Seboeis Plt, Springfield, Stacyville, Stetson, Summit Twp, Veazie, Winn, Woodville T1 R6 WELS, T2 R8 NWP, T2 R9 NWP, T3 R1 NBPP, T3 R9 NWP, TA R7 WELS. |
| | Piscataquis | Medford. |
| | Waldo | Brooks, Frankfort, Jackson, Knox, Monroe, Montville, Prospect, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Swanville, Thorndike, Waldo, Winterport. |
| Penobscot Bay | Waldo | Belfast, Belmont, Brooks, Frankfort, Knox, Lincolnville, Monroe, Montville, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Searsport, Swanville, Waldo. |

(iii) Counties and towns partially or entirely within areas containing critical habitat in the Merrymeeting Bay SHRU:

| Sub-basin | County | Town |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lower Androscoggin | Androscoggin | Auburn, Durham, Greene, Leeds, Lewiston, Lisbon, Sabattus, Wales. |
| | Cumberland | Brunswick, Freeport. |
| | Kennebec | Litchfield, Monmouth |
| | Sagadahoc | Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Topsham. |
| Merrymeeting Bay | Androscoggin | Livermore Falls. |
| | Franklin | Avon, Carthage, Chesterville, Farmington, Freeman Twp, Industry, Jay, Madrid Twp, Mount Abram Twp, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Perkins TWP, Phillips, Redington Twp, Salem Twp, Sandy River Plt, Strong, Temple, Township 6 North of Weld, Township E, Washington Twp, Weld, Wilton. |
| | Kennebec | Augusta, Benton, Chelsea, China, Clinton, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Oakland, Pittston, Randolph, Rome, Sidney, Vassalboro, Vienna, Waterville, West Gardiner, Windsor, Winslow. |
| | Lincoln | Alna, Dresden, Whitefield, Wiscasset. |
| | Sagadahoc | Bowdoinham, Perkins Twp Swan Island, Richmond, Woolwich. |
| | Somerset | Anson, Athens, Bingham, Brighton Plt, Canaan, Cornville, Fairfield, Hartland, Madison, Mayfield Twp, Mercer, Norridgewock, Pittsfield, Skowhegan, Smithfield, Solon, Starks. |
| Coastal Drainages East of Small Point | Cumberland | Brunswick. |
| | Kennebec | Albion, Pittston, Windsor. |
| | Knox | Appleton, Camdem, Cushing, Friendship, Hope, Rockland, Rockport, Saint George, South Thomaston, Thomaston, Union, Warren, Washington. |
| | Lincoln | Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Briston, Dresden, Edgecomb, Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Somerville, Southport, Waldoboro, Westport Island, Whitefield, Wiscasset. |
| | Sagadahoc | Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoinham, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath, Woolwich. |
| | Waldo | Belmont, Freedom, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, Palermo, Searsmont. |

(2) *Critical habitat boundaries.* Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line ([33 CFR 329.11](/on/2024-09-20/title-33/section-329.11)). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on an annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.

[![](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER19JN09.001/ER19JN09.001_large.png)](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER19JN09.001/ER19JN09.001_original_size.png)

(i) HUC 10 watersheds in the Penobscot Bay SHRU analyzed for critical habitat, those that meet the criteria for critical habitat, and those excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2):

| Penobscot Bay SHRU | HUC 10 Code | HUC 10 Name | Status | Economic (E), Military (M), or Tribal (T) exclusions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 0102000101 | North Branch Penobscot River | | |
| 2 | 0102000102 | Seeboomook Lake | | |
| 3 | 0102000103 | WEST Branch Penobscot River at Chesuncook Lake | | |
| 4 | 0102000104 | Caucomgomok Lake | | |
| 5 | 0102000105 | Chesuncook Lake | | |
| 6 | 0102000106 | Nesowadnehunk Stream | | |
| 7 | 0102000107 | Nahamakanta Stream | | |
| 8 | 0102000108 | Jo-Mary Lake | | |
| 9 | 0102000109 | West Branch Penobscot River (3) | | |
| 10 | 0102000110 | West Branch Penobscot River (4) | | |
| 11 | 0102000201 | Webster Brook | | |
| 12 | 0102000202 | Grand Lake Matagamon | Critical Habitat | T |
| 13 | 0102000203 | East Branch Penobscot River (2) | Critical Habitat | T |
| 14 | 0102000204 | Seboeis River | Critical Habitat | T |
| 15 | 0102000205 | East Branch Penobscot River (3) | Critical Habitat | T |
| 16 | 0102000301 | West Branch Mattawamkeag River | Critical Habitat | T |
| 17 | 0102000302 | East Branch Mattawamkeag River | Critical Habitat | |
| 18 | 0102000303 | Mattawamkeag River (1) | Critical Habitat | |
| 19 | 0102000304 | Baskahegan Stream | | |
| 20 | 0102000305 | Mattawamkeag River (2) | Critical Habitat | |
| 21 | 0102000306 | Molunkus Stream | Critical Habitat | E |
| 22 | 0102000307 | Mattawamkeag River (3 | Critical Habitat | T |
| 23 | 0102000401 | Piscataquis River (1) | Critical Habitat | |
| 24 | 0102000402 | Piscataquis River (3) | Critical Habitat | |
| 25 | 0102000403 | Sebec River | | |
| 26 | 0102000404 | Pleasant River | Critical Habitat | T |
| 27 | 0102000405 | Seboeis Stream | Critical Habitat | T |
| 28 | 0102000406 | Piscataquis River (4) | Critical Habitat | “ |
| 29 | 0102000501 | Penobscot River (1) at Mattawamkeag | Critical Habitat | T |
| 30 | 0102000502 | Penobscot River (2) at West Enfield | Critical Habitat | T |
| 31 | 0102000503 | Passadumkeag River | Critical Habitat | E |
| 32 | 0102000505 | Sunkhaze Stream | Critical Habitat | |
| 33 | 0102000506 | Penobscot River (3) at Orson Island | Critical Habitat | T |
| 34 | 0102000507 | Birch Stream | Critical Habitat | T |
| 35 | 0102000508 | Pushaw Stream | | |
| 36 | 0102000509 | Penobscot River (4) at Veazie Dam | Critical Habitat | |
| 37 | 0102000510 | Kenduskeag Stream | Critical Habitat | |
| 38 | 0102000511 | Souadabscook Stream | Critical Habitat | |
| 39 | 0102000512 | Marsh River | Critical Habitat | |
| 40 | 0102000513 | Penobscot River (6) | Critical Habitat | |
| 92 | 0105000216 | Bagaduce River | | |
| 93 | 0105000217 | Stonington Coastal | | |
| 94 | 0105000218 | Belfast Bay | Critical Habitat | E |
| 105 | 0105000219 | Ducktrap River | Critical Habitat | |
| 103 | 0102000504 | Olamon Stream | | |
| 95 | 0105000220 | West Penobscot Bay Coastal | | |

(ii) HUC 10 watersheds in the Merrymeeting Bay SHRU analyzed for critical habitat, those that meet the criteria for critical habitat, and those excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2):

| Merrymeeting Bay SHRU | HUC 10 code | HUC 10 name | Status | Military (M) exclusions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 41 | 0103000101 | South Branch Moose River | | |
| 42 | 0103000102 | Moose River (2) above Attean Pond | | |
| 43 | 0103000103 | Moose River (3) at Long Pond | | |
| 44 | 0103000104 | Brassua Lake | | |
| 45 | 0103000105 | Moosehead Lake | | |
| 46 | 0103000106 | Kennebec River (2) above The Forks | | |
| 47 | 0103000201 | North Branch Dead River | | |
| 48 | 0103000202 | South Branch Dead River | | |
| 49 | 0103000203 | Flagstaff Lake | | |
| 50 | 0103000204 | Dead River | | |
| 51 | 0103000301 | Kennebec River (4) at Wyman Dam | | |
| 52 | 0103000302 | Austin Stream | | |
| 53 | 0103000303 | Kennebec River (6) | | |
| 54 | 0103000304 | Carrabassett River | | |
| 55 | 0103000305 | Sandy River | Critical Habitat | M |
| 56 | 0103000306 | Kennebec River at Waterville Dam | Critical Habitat | |
| 57 | 0103000307 | Sebasticook River at Pittsfield | | |
| 58 | 0103000308 | Sebasticook River (3) at Burnham | | |
| 59 | 0103000309 | Sebasticook River (4) at Winslow | | |
| 60 | 0103000310 | Messalonskee Stream | | |
| 61 | 0103000311 | Cobbosseecontee Stream | | |
| 62 | 0103000312 | Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay | Critical Habitat | |
| 63 | 0104000101 | Mooselookmeguntic Lake | | |
| 64 | 0104000102 | Umbagog Lake Drainage | | |
| 65 | 0104000103 | Aziscohos Lake Drainage | | |
| 66 | 0104000104 | Magalloway River | | |
| 67 | 0104000105 | Clear Stream | | |
| 68 | 0104000106 | Middle Androscoggin River | | |
| 69 | 0104000201 | Gorham-Shelburne Tributaries | | |
| 70 | 0104000202 | Androscoggin River (2) at Rumford Point | | |
| 71 | 0104000203 | Ellis River | | |
| 72 | 0104000204 | Ellis River | | |
| 73 | 0104000205 | Androscoggin River (3) above Webb River | | |
| 74 | 0104000206 | Androscoggin River (4) at Riley Dam | | |
| 75 | 0104000207 | Androscoggin River (5) at Nezinscot River | | |
| 76 | 0104000208 | Nezinscot River | | |
| 77 | 0104000209 | Androscoggin River (6) above Little Androscoggin River | | |
| 78 | 0104000210 | Little Androscoggin River | Critical Habitat | M |
| 96 | 0105000301 | St. George River | Critical Habitat | |
| 97 | 0105000302 | Medomak River | Critical Habitat | |
| 98 | 0105000303 | Johns Bay | | |
| 99 | 0105000304 | Damariscotta River | | |
| 100 | 0105000305 | Sheepscot River | Critical Habitat | |
| 101 | 0105000306 | Sheepscot Bay | Critical Habitat | |
| 102 | 0105000307 | Kennebec River Estuary | Critical Habitat | M |

(iii) HUC 10 watersheds in the Downeast Coastal SHRU analyzed for critical habitat, and those that meet the criteria for critical habitat, and those excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2):

| Downeast SHRU | HUC 10 code | HUC 10 name | Status | Tribal (T) exclusions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 79 | 0105000201 | Dennys River | Critical Habitat | |
| 80 | 0105000203 | Grand Manan Channel | Critical Habitat | |
| 81 | 0105000204 | East Machias River | Critical Habitat | T |
| 82 | 0105000205 | Machias River | Critical Habitat | |
| 83 | 0105000206 | Roque Bluffs Coastal | Critical Habitat | |
| 84 | 0105000208 | Pleasant River | Critical Habitat | |
| 85 | 0105000209 | Narraguagus River | Critical Habitat | |
| 86 | 0105000210 | Tunk Stream | Critical Habitat | |
| 87 | 0105000211 | Bois Bubert Coasta | | |
| 88 | 0105000212 | Graham Lake | Critical Habitat | |
| 89 | 0105000213 | Union River Bay | Critical Habitat | |
| 90 | 0105000214 | Lamoine Coastal | | |
| 91 | 0105000215 | Mt. Desert Coastal | | |
| 104 | 0105000207 | Chandler River | Critical Habitat | |

(3) *Primary constituent elements.* Within the GOM DPS, the primary constituent elements (PCEs) for the conservation of Atlantic salmon include sites for spawning and incubation, sites for juvenile rearing, and sites for migration. The physical and biological features of the habitat that are essential to the conservation of Atlantic salmon are those features that allow Atlantic salmon to successfully use sites for spawning and rearing and sites for migration. These features include:

(i) Deep, oxygenated pools and cover (*e.g.*, boulders, woody debris, vegetation, etc.), near freshwater spawning sites, necessary to support adult migrants during the summer while they await spawning in the fall;

(ii) Freshwater spawning sites that contain clean, permeable gravel and cobble substrate with oxygenated water and cool water temperatures to support spawning activity, egg incubation and larval development;

(iii) Freshwater spawning and rearing sites with clean gravel in the presence of cool, oxygenated water and diverse substrate to support emergence, territorial development, and feeding activities of Atlantic salmon fry;

(iv) Freshwater rearing sites with space to accommodate growth and survival of Atlantic salmon parr, and population densities needed to support sustainable populations;

(v) Freshwater rearing sites with a combination of river, stream, and lake habitats, that accommodate parr's ability to occupy many niches and to maximize parr production;

(vi) Freshwater rearing sites with cool, oxygenated water to support growth and survival of Atlantic salmon parr;

(vii) Freshwater rearing sites with diverse food resources to support growth and survival of Atlantic salmon parr;

(viii) Freshwater and estuary migratory sites free from physical and biological barriers that delay or prevent access to spawning grounds needed to support a recovered population;

(ix) Freshwater and estuary migration sites with abundant, diverse native fish communities to serve as a protective buffer against predation;

(x) Freshwater and estuary migration sites free from physical and biological barriers that delay or prevent emigration of smolts to the marine environment;

(xi) Freshwater and estuary migration sites with sufficiently cool water temperatures and water flows that coincide with diurnal cues to stimulate smolt migration;

(xii) Freshwater migration sites with water chemistry needed to support sea water adaptation of smolts; and

(xiii) Freshwater and marine sites with diverse, abundant assemblages of native fish communities to enhance survivorship as Atlantic salmon smolts emigrating through the estuary.

(4) Habitat that meets the definition of critical habitat in occupied habitat areas on Passamaquoddy Tribal Indian lands and Fee lands or lands held in Trust by the Penobscot Indian Reservation within the range of the GOM DPS are excluded from designation. Per request of the Penobscot Tribe, critical habitat does include occupied habitat that makes up the Penobscot Indian Reservation. The Indian lands specifically excluded from critical habitat are those defined in the Secretarial Order 3206, including:

(i) Lands held in Trust by the United States for the benefit of any Indian Tribe;

(ii) Lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of any Indian Tribe or individual subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation;

(iii) Fee lands, either within or outside the reservation boundaries, owned by the tribal government; and

(iv) Fee lands within the reservation boundaries owned by individual Indians.

The rivers, streams, lakes, and estuaries on approximately 9,500 acres (38.4 sq km) of lands held by the Passamaquoddy Tribe and approximately 60,500 acres (244.8 sq km) of Fee lands and land held in Trust for the Penobscot Tribe within the areas occupied by the GOM DPS are excluded from critical habitat designation based on the principles of the Secretarial Order discussed above. Per request of the Penobscot Nation, the rivers, lakes, and streams within the approximately 4,400-acre (17.8 sq km) Penobscot Reservation are included as critical habitat.

(5) *Areas that do not meet the definition of critical habitat under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i).* Critical habitat does not include the following areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act ([16 U.S.C. 670a](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/16/670a)). These areas that are not included are:

(i) The 435 acres (1.8 sq km) of the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick Maine within the Little Androscoggin HUC 10 watershed in the Merrymeeting Bay SHRU; and

(ii) The 5,328 acres (21.5 sq km) of the Brunswick Naval Air Stations cold weather survival, evasion, resistance, and escape school within the Sandy River HUC 10 watershed in the Merrymeeting Bay SHRU.

(6) *Areas excluded under ESA Section 4(b)(2).*

(i) The 396 acres (1.6 sq km) of the Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center in the Graham Lake HUC 10 watershed in the Downeast Coastal SHRU;

(ii) The 3,000 acres (12.1 sq km) of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment in the Roques Bluffs Coastal HUC 10 in the Downeast Coastal SHRU;

(iii) The Bath Iron Works ship building facility that provides the design, building, and support of complex Navy warships, including AEGIS Class Destroyers. The excluded area extends from U.S. Route 1 bridge over the Kennebec River down river to 50 feet below the south side of BIWs dry dock, but does not include any portion of Hanson Bay or the thoroughfare between Hanson Bay and the Kennebec River. The specific area excluded from designation lies within a box between four points with the following coordinates: Point 1: N43 54′39.8′′, W069 48′43.5′′; Point 2: N43 54′40′′, W069 48′17.8′′; Point 3: N43 54′0.0′′, W069 48′47′′; Point 4: N43 54′0.0′′, W069 48′28′′;

(iv) The Belfast Bay HUC 10 Watershed (HUC 105000218);

(v) The Passadumkeag River HUC 10 Watershed (HUC 102000503); and

(vi) The Molunkus Stream HUC 10 Watershed (HUC102000306).

(7) *Description of critical habitat.* Critical habitat is designated to include the areas defined in the following hydrological units in the three SHRUs with the exception of those particular areas specifically identified:

(i) Downeast Coastal SHRU. Critical habitat area (in sq km), areas excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2) (in sq km), and exclusion type, by HUC 10 watersheds:

| Sub-basin | HUC 10 code | HUC 10 watershed name | Critical habitat | | Excluded areas [type]\* | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| River, stream and estuary (km) | Lake (sq. km) | River, stream and estuary (km) | Lake (sq. km) |
| Coastal Washington Hancock sub-basin | 0105000201 | Dennys River | 218 | 45 | | |
| | 0105000203 | Grand Manan Channel | 641 | 15.5 | | |
| | 0105000204 | East Machias River | 575 | 70 | 16 [T] | 0.1 [T] |
| | 0105000205 | Machias River | 991 | 58 | | |
| | 0105000206 | Roque Bluffs Coastal | 321 | .9 | 13(M) | .004(M) |
| | 0105000207 | Chandler River | 154 | 0.1 | | |
| | 0105000208 | Pleasant River | 325 | 6.5 | | |
| | 0105000209 | Narraguagus River | 573 | 15.5 | | |
| | 0105000210 | Tunk Stream | 117 | 14 | | |
| | 0105000212 | Graham Lake | 974 | 121 | 2.3(M) | .2(M) |
| | 0105000213 | Union River Bay | 303 | 18 | | |
| | 0105000211 | Bois Bubert Coastal | | | | |
| | 0105000214 | Lamoine Coastal | | | | |
| | 0105000215 | Mt. Desert Coastal | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \* Exclusion types: [E] = Economic, [M] = Military, and [T] = Tribal—considered unoccupied at the time of listing. | | | | | | |

(ii) *Penobscot Bay SHRU. Critical habitat area (in sq km), areas excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2) (in sq km), and exclusion type, by HUC 10 watershed:*

[![](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER10AU09.025/ER10AU09.025_large.png)](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER10AU09.025/ER10AU09.025_original_size.png)
[![](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER10AU09.026/ER10AU09.026_large.png)](https://img.federalregister.gov/ER10AU09.026/ER10AU09.026_original_size.png)

(iii) Merrymeeting Bay SHRU. Critical habitat area (in sq km), areas excluded under ESA section 4(b)(2) (in sq km), and exclusion type, by HUC 10 watershed:

| Sub basin | HUC 10 code | HUC 10 watershed name | Critical habitat | | Excluded areas [type] \* | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| River, stream and estuary (km) | Lake (sq. km) | River, stream and estuary (km) | Lake (sq. km) |
| Kennebec River above the Forks sub-basin | 0103000101 | South Branch Moose River | | | | |
| | 0103000102 | Moose River (2) above Attean Pond | | | | |
| | 0103000103 | Moose River (3) at Long Pond | | | | |
| | 0103000104 | Brassua Lake | | | | |
| | 0103000105 | Moosehead Lake | | | | |
| | 0103000106 | Kennebec River (2) above The Forks | | | | |
| Dead River sub-basin | 0103000201 | North Branch Dead River | | | | |
| | 0103000202 | South Branch Dead River | | | | |
| | 0103000203 | Flagstaff Lake | | | | |
| | 0103000204 | Dead River | | | | |
| Merrymeeting Bay sub-basin | 0103000305 | Sandy River | 1,215 | 15.8 | 12 [M] | 0.2 [M] |
| | 0103000306 | Kennebec River at Waterville Dam | 794 | 14 | | |
| | 0103000312 | Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay | 621 | 22 | | |
| | 0103000310 | Messalonskee Stream | | | | |
| | 0103000301 | Kennebec River (4) at Wyman Dam | | | | |
| | 0103000302 | Austin Stream | | | | |
| | 0103000303 | Kennebec River (6) | | | | |
| | 0103000304 | Carrabassett River | | | | |
| | 0103000307 | Sebasticook River at Pittsfield | | | | |
| | 0103000308 | Sebasticook River (3) at Burnham | | | | |
| | 0103000309 | Sebasticook River (4) at Winslow | | | | |
| | 0103000311 | Cobbosseecontee Stream | | | | |
| Upper Androscoggin sub-basin | 0104000101 | Mooselookmeguntic Lake | | | | |
| | 0104000102 | Umbagog Lake Drainage | | | | |
| | 0104000103 | Aziscohos Lake Drainage | | | | |
| | 0104000104 | Magalloway River | | | | |
| | 0104000105 | Clear Stream | | | | |
| | 0104000106 | Middle Androscoggin River | | | | |
| Lower Androscoggin sub-basin | 0104000210 | Little Androscoggin River | 549 | 10.5 | 1 [M] | |
| | 0104000201 | Gorham-Shelburne Tributaries | | | | |
| | 0104000202 | Androscoggin River at Rumford Point | | | | |
| | 0104000203 | Ellis River | | | | |
| | 0104000204 | Ellis River | | | | |
| | 0104000205 | Androscoggin River above Webb River | | | | |
| | 0104000206 | Androscoggin River at Riley Dam | | | | |
| | 0104000207 | Androscoggin River at Nezinscot River | | | | |
| | 0104000208 | Nezinscot River | | | | |
| | 0104000209 | Androscoggin R. above L. Andro. R | | | | |
| Coastal Drainages East of Small Point sub-basin | 0105000301 | St. George River | 624 | 32 | | |
| | 0105000302 | Medomak River | 318 | 6 | | |
| | 0105000305 | Sheepscot River | 553 | 19 | | |
| | 0105000306 | Sheepscot Bay | 220 | 2 | | |
| | 0105000307 | Kennebec River Estuary | 275 | 3.5 | 1 [M] | |
| | 0105000303 | Johns Bay | | | | |
| | 0105000304 | Damariscotta River | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| \* Exclusion types: [E] = Economic, [M] = Military, and [T] = Tribal—considered unoccupied at the time of listing. | | | | | | |

[[74 FR 29333](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/74-FR-29333), June 19, 2009, as amended at [74 FR 39904](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/74-FR-39904), Aug. 10, 2009]